Grand Knight of Valour


The Grand Knight of Valour is the highest federal award which can be presented in Malaysia. It was created on 29 July 1960 and was gazetted on 11 August 1960. The award is the highest ranking in the list of the Malaysian Federal Ranking of Awards, and is ranked higher than the Order of the Royal Family of Malaysia awarded to Malaysian Royalty.

Criteria

The Grand Knight of Valour is awarded to those Malaysians who have shown, "supreme courage and bravery in extraordinary and highly dangerous situations". The number of awards is not limited, and may be conferred to any eligible person, both civilian and military.

Entitlements

The Grand Knight of Valour, as the highest Armed Forces Gallantry Award, is the highest in the order of precedence in the awards and decorations of the Malaysian Armed Forces. It is also the highest award of the Malaysian Federal Awards, outranking the awards which carry the title of Datuk, Tan Sri, or Tun.
The award does not carry any title and is not listed in the Federal Order of Precedence. Since 1990, the award does carry a monetary stipend. With the passage of the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa Act 1990, recipients and their families are entitled to a monetary allowance.
Living recipients of the decoration are paid an allowance of RM 400 per month. Those who had received the award prior to the passage of the act, were paid retroactively to the date of their award, but not any earlier than June 1983. The allowance ends upon the death of the recipient. A posthumous recipient's next of kin receives a lump-sum payment of RM 20,000.

Appearance

The medal pendant is made of silver. It is a crescent moon with the inscription Gagah Perkasa. Within arc of the moon is a fourteen-pointed star. An intricately designed clasp attaches the pendant to the ribbon. The medal's ribbon is royal yellow 1.5 inches wide with red stripes 1/8 inches wide.

Recipients

S.P.

The recipients does not receive any title.
#RankNameYearNotes
1Special ConstableVeloo s/o Rajavelu1963Royal Malaysian Police – the first recipient of Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa. Honored for bravery and community service, laying down his life in combating piracy in Klang in August 1962.
2ConstableAbu Bakar bin Ngah Wahab1969Police Field Force – Killed in action in Betong, South Thailand on 15 August 1968.
3Second LieutenantAbdul Razak bin Hussain d/a Husain bin Salleh19718th Battalion Royal Malaysian Rangers – Killed in action in Sendiawan, Sarawak, 1970.
4ConstableFong Thean Kit1971Royal Malaysia Police – caught a notorious criminal that kill Const. Yeap Sean Hua in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur on 30 April 1971. Constable Fong was recognised for bravery in arresting an armed man on the wanted list. Despite the gunman killing his colleague and wounding Constable Fong, he managed to capture the dangerous suspect.
5InspectorGean Kartar Singh a/k Kean Singh1971Penang Prison – prevent a break-out at Penang prison in 1970.
6Warrant Officer 2Lenggu anak China19711st Battalion Royal Malaysian Rangers – Killed in action in an ambush by communist terrorist in Tanjong Babi Batu, Song, Sarawak on 20 January 1971. Even though the enemy outnumbered the Security Forces, and having managed to destroy the forward boat, the fighting spirit of Warrant Officer 2 Lenggu anak China was not affected. In fact, it had the opposite effect. With determination and a very high spirit, in the highest traditions of the Ranger Corps, he launched a determined assault single-handedly against the enemy. He managed to kill 4 of the enemy. In this action, Warrant Officer 2 Lenggu anak China fell beside the enemies he had killed.
7CorporalYeap Sean Hua1971Royal Malaysia Police - Killed by armed criminal during a crime prevention round in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur on 30 April 1971.
8CorporalNgalinuh Bala alias Kilah Atu1972Royal Malaysia Police – battle with communist terrorist in Sibu, Sarawak on 29 April 1972. While escorting explosives along Jalan Ulu Oya, Mubal, Sarawak with four of his men, Ngalinuh and his men were attacked by terrorists. Fighting back, Ngalinuh managed to injure and capture one of his attackers while driving the rest away, Ngalinuh sustained a near fatal knife wound to the chest in hand to hand armed combat, and survived.
9ConstableEtin a/k Bijang1972Royal Malaysia Police – Battle with Communist terrorist in Sibu, Sarawak on 29 April 1972.
10CaptainMohanachandran s/o Velayuthan19724th Battalion Royal Malaysian Rangers – killed in action in Ulu Kinta, Perak, 1971.
11TrooperRasli bin Buang19721st Special Service Regiment – killed in action in Chemor, Perak on 6 July 1971.
12InspectorSyed Mohd Mokhtar bin Syed Zubir Barakhbah1972Police Field Force – ambush by communist terrorist at Malaysian – Thailand border on 11 August 1971. On 11 August 1971, Mokhtar was leading four of his men on a patrol along the Malaysia-Thai border. Ambushed by terrorists, Mokhtar was the only survivor of the attack and had managed to kill one of the attackers.
13CaptainHamid bin Awang19732nd Battalion Royal Malaysian Rangers – Ops Marcup 1 in Lundu, Sarawak, 7 April 1973. Based on intelligence gathered indicating that a force of 40 to 50 communist terrorist would converge on Gunung Pueh, "D” Company of 2 Royal Malay Regiment led by Captain Hamid was tasked in a search and destroy mission. On 7 April 1973, Captain Hamid and his company detected a Communist encampment. Captain Hamid organised his company for an assault on the camp. Captain Hamid fired an M79 grenade round to mark the start of the attack and rush into the Communist Terrorist camp. In the heat of battle, a communist terrorist tried to shoot down one of Captain Hamid's men. Captain Hamid immediately rushed to the terrorist and hit the terrorist in the neck with the M79 grenade launcher. Captain Hamid's company scored 3 kills and captured 3 enemy weapons, as well as ammunition and assorted equipment. Captain Hamid's company suffered 1 KIA. Captain Hamid was awarded the SP on 6 June 1973.
14Chief InspectorChin Chin Kooi1973Royal Malaysia Police – Killed in action when a notorious criminal broke in his house on 12 July 1972. On that day at 9:00 p.m. treacherous enemies had gate-crashed a residence. C/Insp. Chin was shot point blank range by two pistols. Before breathing his last breath, he was still courageous enough to return fire at the enemies. The late C/Insp. Chin had served in the police force for 21 years.
15InspectorReggie anak Deli1973Police Field Force – killed 6 communist terrorist during a battle in Bintulu, Sarawak, 10 April 1973. While leading a 6-man Police Field Force on 10 April 1973, his unit tracked down and confronted 14 communists travelling in a boat along Sungai Kemena in Sebauh, Bintulu. In the ensuing 20-minute gun battle, despite being outnumbered, Reggie and his men killed six of the insurgents, captured the rest, and seized seven shotguns, 13 bullets, medical supplies and important documents belonging to the insurgents. Reggie joined the police force in 1961, and retired following a stroke in 1986.
16Second LieutenantAbdul Hamid bin Ismail19753rd Battalion Royal Malay Regiment – Killed in action during operation in Baling, Kedah on 8 September 1973.
17ConstableOthman Ahmad1975Royal Malaysia Police – ambush by 6 wanted criminal in Chuping, Perlis on 10 January 1974. He manage to kill one of them.
18ConstableNuing Saling1976Police Field Force – killed in action during a battle with communist terrorist near Sungai Setabau, Sibu, Sarawak on 6 April 1975.
19SergeantKanang anak Langkau19818th Battalion Royal Malaysian Rangers – he was the only recipient of both Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa and Pingat Gagah Berani. Following the death of a soldier in the Tanah Hitam area of Perak in an engagement with communists on 8 February 1980, the Unit Combat Intelligence Squad of 8th Battalion Royal Rangers under the leadership of Sergeant Kanang anak Langkau was tasked to seek and destroy the group. They tracked the enemy over difficult terrain for 11 days. On 19 February 1980, at around 1500 hours, his platoon managed to estimate the location of the enemy, who were close by. Kanang's group was mistaken as they were already within the enemy's perimeter, which they realised when they found a communications cord connecting the sentry outpost to the main force. Kanang, 8 metres from the enemy sentry position, launched an attack to his right flank. It then became apparent that the main force lay to the left. They assaulted the left and routed the enemy taking one casualty and killing five communists. One soldier was seriously wounded and Kanang himself took three rounds but survived and eventually returned to active duty retiring as a Warrant Officer 1. Kanang anak Langkau was conferred the "Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa" for valour in decimating the enemy on 3 June 1981.
20Acting MajorZainal Abidin bin Abdul Rashid198217th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment – killed in action at Ops Gubir II, 1976.
21Lance CorporalSaimon Tarikat1983Combat Intelligence Unit – killed in action in Kuala Klawang, Negeri Sembilan, 1983.
22InspectorPaul Kiong1983Royal Malaysia Police – Inspector with Police Special Branch in Ipoh, part of several operations to cripple communist terrorist between 1966 and 1989. This involved infiltrating the organisation, operating in the jungle, capturing the terrorists alive as well as being involved in direct confrontations with them. He was conferred the SP on 1 June 1983. He retired as a Superintendent of Police in 1997.
23InspectorSia Boon Chee1983Royal Malaysia Police - Inspector with Special Branch in Ipoh - part of several operations to cripple communist terrorist between 1966 and 1989. These operations required him to gather intelligence by infiltrating enemy lines, operating in thick jungle, capturing terrorists alive and engaging them in direct battle. He was awarded the SP on 1 June 1983. He retired with the rank of DSP in 1994. He read law the following year and is currently a practising lawyer.
24Mr.Abdul Jalil bin Ibrahim1985Civilians – murdered in Hong Kong, 1983 while investigating the BMF scandal, the only civilian to received the award to this date. A former student of the Royal Military College, Jalil was an assistant general manager for Bumiputra Finance Berhad. He was killed in Hong Kong in July 1983 while investigating a case involving the fraudulent award of RM2.5 billion in loans by Bumiputra Finance Berhad to the Carrian Group helmed by Malaysian businessman, George Tan. The case received wide coverage as several Malaysian politicians were involved. The Carrian Group's spectacular collapse the same year was also to become Hong Kong's largest bankruptcy.
25CaptainNarendran Indi Shanmugam1986On the 10th day of their mission Captain: Narendran Indi Shanmugam and his squad of Ten Rangers were ambushed by a communist terrorist group that outnumbered them 40 to 10 personnel. They walked into the ambush as a 30 caliber machine gun opened fire on their position. Capt. Indi and his men formed a two line retreat wall to fall back alternating suppression fire until the unit would be out of range of the enemy's line of fire. During this man oeuvre the unit lost 2 men KIA, instantly and one more injured as Alpha team ARC1 came under murderous fire. Capt Indi had to face a wall of bullets to go back for his injured man. Carrying his injured man over his shoulder and commenced to run back to safety but a stray bullet found its mark punching through the injured Corporal and piercing Capt. Indi in the middle of his back. Despite this near fatal injury Captain Narendran Shanmugam rallied his remaining 7 Rangers of Alpha team ARC1 and flanked the 40 communist insurgents, successfully eliminating the entire enemy outfit and securing the IED's that was intended to destroy an allied air force base in an undisclosed location which would have resulted in heavy allied losses. Captain Narendran Indi Shanmugam's actions was awarded the medal of The Gallant Warrior or Grand Knight of Valour This award is recognised by the Commonwealth countries and is equivalent to the Australian Victoria Cross. The members of this Elite outfit, the Australian SASR were of the Airborne Rangers Commandos ARC1 Alpha Squadron, a Special Allied Task Force comprising Australian Royal Rangers 4th Regiment, Singapore Ranger Battalion 1 and 8th Battalion Royal Malaysian Rangers
26CorporalMat Aznan bin Awang1994Malaysian Battalion in Mogadishu, Somalia – killed in action. While serving with the United Nations UNOSOM II force in Somalia, Corporal Mat Aznan was killed in action during the Battle of Mogadishu.
27CorporalNasaruddin bin Che Yeop1998Federal Reserve Unit, Royal Malaysia Police – killed during riot by illegal immigrants at Semenyih Detention Centre on 26 March 1998.
28Deputy SuperintendentAbdul Razak bin Mohd Yusof2001Royal Malaysia Police – Sauk Incident, 6 July 2000.
29Lieutenant GeneralZaini Mohamad Said2001Malaysian Army – Sauk incident, 6 July 2000.
30Assistant SuperintendentMohd Zabri Abdul Hamid2014Royal Malaysian Police – Inspector of Task Force - killed in action in Grik, Perak in 1975. Killed when he stepped on a booby-trap which was set up by a communist while taking two wounded members to an extraction point area after an operation of hunting down the communist who killed extra policemen who were sent to the hospital. His right leg was broken and suffered serious wounds which made him lose lots of blood. He was posthumously promoted to ASP for his bravery.